Can a dog eat a whole egg

Dogs can have eggs. In fact, they are a wonderful source of protein. And protein is essential for dogs. “Eggs are considered a gold standard because they’re almost the closest you can get to 100 percent complete, as far as protein goes,” Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey explains.

Are eggs good for dogs?

Yes. Eggs are good for dogs to eat. Of course, they are rich in protein, but aside from that eggs are also a good source of linoleic acid and fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A. All of these are wonderful for a dog’s skin and coat,” says Dempsey. Explore dog food products with eggs.

Are raw eggs bad for dogs?

Dogs should never eat raw or undercooked eggs. Raw eggs aren’t safe at all. “They can be a source of Salmonella. Even very clean eggs can have it inside. And as eggs start to go bad, they can grow other bacteria,” explains Dempsey. Some foods can lose nutrients while they are cooked, but the protein in eggs isn’t. Cooking really helps make them more digestible. So however they are prepared–boiled, scrambled, sunny side up–cooked is best for your dog.

Are egg shells nutritious for dogs?

“Egg shells contain calcium and phosphorus,” says Dempsey. “But there are easier ways to supplement those minerals.” Instead of grinding up egg shells, talk to your veterinarian. She will know if your dog needs something added to his complete and balanced diet.

Is the cholesterol in eggs bad for dogs?

You don’t need to worry about cholesterol and your dog. “Cholesterol doesn’t have the same effect in dogs as it is does in humans,” Dempsey explains. “And dogs don’t get to the same cholesterol-related diseases as  humans.” That means you don’t need to feed egg whites only. If your dog is taking in too much egg, you will see weight gain due to too many additional calories long before any other issues arise.

Can dogs eat an egg a day?

Dogs can eat a little bit of egg each day, but it’s important to feed eggs like you would any treat. “Eggs are about 70 calories each, so how much you feed depends on your dog’s size. Keep the 10 Percent Treat Rule in mind. The egg you feed should only make up 10 percent of your dog’s total daily calories. That way he has his complete and balanced meals and no extra calories,” explains Dempsey. And it will help eggs remain a surprise your dog looks forward to receiving. 

We often take eggs for granted since they are a staple in most diets. However, they are truly an exceptional superfood.

Raw eggs are packed with micro and macronutrients, including 6 grams of protein. So, does this make them a good addition to your dog’s diet?

Read on to find out if raw eggs are healthy for dogs and tips on how to incorporate them into his or her meal plan.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?

Let’s cut to the chase. Dogs can definitely eat raw eggs. In fact, we love recommending them as a nutritious and delicious addition to a raw diet a couple of times a week.

Raw eggs can provide your pup with a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals including:

• •Vitamin A

• •Riboflavin

• •Folate

• •Vitamin E

• •Iron

• •Selenium

• •Fatty Acids

While these can all benefit your dog’s health, we recommend only feeding your dog a whole egg (egg white and yolk) a few times a week. This is because raw egg white contains an enzyme that ties up biotin. Biotin is one of the B complex vitamins that help us convert food into energy.

If you top your dog’s meals with a whole raw egg every day, this can lead to a biotin deficiency. While it would take a lot of this enzyme to cause serious problems, it can begin to affect your dog’s metabolism, skin, and coat.

To avoid this, you can always cook the eggs or just feed your dog the yolks. However, the best eggs for dogs from a nutritional standpoint are raw. Cooked eggs of any type, like scrambled eggs, lose some of their nutritional value in the cooking process.

Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?

You may see people include an entire raw egg as part of their dog’s meal, shell and all. Dogs can eat eggshells, but it often comes down to their preference. Some dogs love the extra crunch while others simply won’t touch them.

Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, so it doesn’t hurt to have your pup try them. The eggshell membrane, in particular, is a very useful ingredient. It sells on the market wholesale for $100-150 per pound. It is excellent as a joint supplement and is the only OTC supplement with a scientific journal proof of efficacy.

Overall, eggshells are a great source of:

• Collagen

• Chondroitin

• Hyaluronic acid

• Glucosamine

These nutrients can help support healthy bones and teeth for your pup.

And don’t worry about your pet’s stomach. Think of it this way: wolves and coyotes of the wild have been raiding bird nests for millions of years. Ill-mannered hounds have been devouring hen's eggs for centuries. Even if you used eggshell powder, ground so fine from a food processor no person could see them, they'd still have the same effect in the intestine as larger, visible pieces.

A dog's stomach acid softens the shell edges, and additional routine digestion methods (enzymes, pH, muscular contraction) ensure the eggshell serves as a nutritious ingredient.

Raw Eggs and Salmonella

You may still be wondering if raw eggs are safe for your dog. As humans, we’ve been taught that raw eggs carry the risk of salmonella, and while this is true, it’s important to remember that your dog's stomach was designed for raw foods. 

Dogs have short, simple digestive tracts and high levels of hydrochloric acid in their stomachs. They are anatomically designed to derive their nutrients from raw animal protein, fat, and bone. The high level of acids in the stomach means they can easily handle bacteria in raw foods in ways that humans cannot.

Of course, it’s still important to be mindful when you feed raw eggs to dogs. Always feed your dog raw eggs from a reliable source (healthy chickens) that have been stored properly.

Egg Allergies and Dogs

Just like humans, dogs can also have allergies. Keep in mind that some dogs are allergic to eggs. The American Kennel Club recommends watching your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction that could include:

• Sneezing

• Swelling

• Hives

• Lethargy

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing

Feed Your Dog Raw

So, can dogs eat raw eggs? Yes! But when you choose to feed eggs to your dog you should keep balance in mind. Make sure you’re not giving them whole raw eggs daily (but rather a few times a week) and are continuing to feed them a raw diet filled with the nutrients they need to be healthy and happy.

Learn more about the benefits of feeding your dog a raw diet or sign up for your dog’s first meal delivery from We Feed Raw today.

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